John H. Gostley, beloved husband of 54 years to Shirley, passed away on April 29, 2009 at Wellsville Manor Nursing Home at the age of 78. John lived a happy life, full of children, grandchildren and enjoying everything outdoors.
Born in 1930 in Wellsville, he was the son of Catherine E. (Fisher) and Lawrence E. Gostley. He attended school for many years in a one-room schoolhouse in Yorks Corners, later attending Wellsville High School, graduating in 1947. In high school, John was active in track, baseball and football and was also a class officer each year.
After high school, he attended Alfred State College and then joined the US Marine Corps, for which he remained proud and loyal his entire life. After the Marines, he worked at Sinclair Gas Station, and began racing stock cars at area racetracks. His passion for racing continued the rest of his life. In 1956, he married Shirley Colligan in Wellsville. John then worked for Joyce Pipeline, and then joined the US Post Office as a rural carrier in Wellsville in 1962, where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Throughout John’s life, he was an avid hunter and trapper, often spending time on Gostley Hill.
John was a loyal member of the American Legion, Elks, and Moose, all of Wellsville.
In addition to his devoted wife, John is survived by his children: Pam Reed, Gregg Gostley, Laurie Gostley-Hackett (Francis), Patrick Gostley, Holly Massengale (Bruce); brother James Gostley (Carol); grandchildren: Beth and Tim Haaf, Christina, Laura and Danny Reed, Todd Green and Kaitlin and Kyle Gostley, Cara and Grady Hackett, John and Brian Massengale: great-grandchildren Quinn and Ava Haaf; also Jake Haaf and Doug Reed; John’s “adopted brothers” Jim (deceased), Art and Bill Gordon. Brother in laws Don and Jack Colligan and Chet Kensek
John was pre-deceased by his parents and daughter Teri Gostley-Haaf.
Friends are invited to call on Sunday, May 3 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. Funeral service will take place Monday, May 4 at 11am at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Stannards Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to the Arthritis Foundation of Upstate New York or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Born in 1930 in Wellsville, he was the son of Catherine E. (Fisher) and Lawrence E. Gostley. He attended school for many years in a one-room schoolhouse in Yorks Corners, later attending Wellsville High School, graduating in 1947. In high school, John was active in track, baseball and football and was also a class officer each year.
After high school, he attended Alfred State College and then joined the US Marine Corps, for which he remained proud and loyal his entire life. After the Marines, he worked at Sinclair Gas Station, and began racing stock cars at area racetracks. His passion for racing continued the rest of his life. In 1956, he married Shirley Colligan in Wellsville. John then worked for Joyce Pipeline, and then joined the US Post Office as a rural carrier in Wellsville in 1962, where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Throughout John’s life, he was an avid hunter and trapper, often spending time on Gostley Hill.
John was a loyal member of the American Legion, Elks, and Moose, all of Wellsville.
In addition to his devoted wife, John is survived by his children: Pam Reed, Gregg Gostley, Laurie Gostley-Hackett (Francis), Patrick Gostley, Holly Massengale (Bruce); brother James Gostley (Carol); grandchildren: Beth and Tim Haaf, Christina, Laura and Danny Reed, Todd Green and Kaitlin and Kyle Gostley, Cara and Grady Hackett, John and Brian Massengale: great-grandchildren Quinn and Ava Haaf; also Jake Haaf and Doug Reed; John’s “adopted brothers” Jim (deceased), Art and Bill Gordon. Brother in laws Don and Jack Colligan and Chet Kensek
John was pre-deceased by his parents and daughter Teri Gostley-Haaf.
Friends are invited to call on Sunday, May 3 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. Funeral service will take place Monday, May 4 at 11am at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Stannards Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John’s name to the Arthritis Foundation of Upstate New York or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
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